Monday, August 22 2005 15:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Cases of cruelty by husband and his relatives registered 9.3 per cent increase -- from 50,703 in 2003 to 55,439 in 2004, Minister of State for Human Resource Development Kanti Singh informed the Rajya Sabha today (August 22, 2005).

Quoting National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, she said during the Question Hour that the number of such cases till March this year was 11,563.

Singh also said 1,06,980 persons were chargesheeted and 12,558 convicted in 2003, while for 2004 the figures were 1,13,367 and 14,224 respectively.

Monuments:The Centre today welcomed public-private partnership for the upkeep of ancient monuments and archaeological sites but said it would be carried out only under the superintendence of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Responding to supplementaries during the Question Hour, Culture Minister S Jaipal Reddy said ASI has not taken charge of Jama Masjid in the national capital as it was a 'living place of worship' and not a monument.